The Mississippi River carries tons of tiny rock fragments called sediments into the Gulf of Mexico. What do you think will happen to these sediments after a few million years?

Question

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Gizmo Warm-up
Over millions of years, rocks are broken down
and transformed into other rocks. The Rock Cycle
Gizmo illustrates the different transformations that
make up the rock cycle. Before exploring the
Gizmo, take a look at the image.
1. What types of rocks are shown? __________
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2. Magma is molten (liquid) rock under Earth’s surface. Based on the image, how do you think magma turns into extrusive igneous rock? ______________________________________
3. Click Extrusive igneous rock button to the right of the image. Were you correct? ________
2019
Activity:
The rock cycle
Get the Gizmo ready:
∙ Click Start again.

Question: What is the rock cycle?
1. Observe: A cycle is a path with the same start and end. Create a rock cycle with the Gizmo. A. Click Magma. How hot is magma? _______________________________________ B. Click Crystallization (below ground). What kind of rock is formed when magma
cools below the surface? _______________________________________________ C. Click Exposure and weathering. What forms when rocks break down? __________ D. Click Erosion and deposition. In what ways are sediments transported? _________
___________________________________________________________________ E. Click Lithification and compaction. (Lithification is hardening into rock.) What kind of rock is formed from sediments? ____________________________________ F. Click Increase temp. and pressure. What kind of rock is formed? ______________ G. Click Melt. What is formed when rocks melt deep underground? ________________

Answer 1

1. What types of rocks are shown?
   The image likely shows igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, as these are the three main types involved in the rock cycle.

2. Based on the image, how do you think magma turns into extrusive igneous rock?
   Magma turns into extrusive igneous rock when it erupts onto the Earth's surface as lava and cools quickly, forming solid rock. This rapid cooling results in a finer-grained texture.

3. Were you correct?
   Yes, if the Gizmo confirms that extrusive igneous rock forms from rapidly cooled lava, then the hypothesis about magma becoming extrusive igneous rock is correct.

Question: What is the rock cycle?
The rock cycle is a continuous process in which rocks are transformed from one type to another over geological time. This cycle includes the formation, breakdown, and reformation of rocks through various geological processes.

A. How hot is magma?
Magma typically has temperatures ranging from about 700 to 1300 degrees Celsius (1300 to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit).

B. What kind of rock is formed when magma cools below the surface?
When magma cools below the surface, it forms intrusive igneous rock (also known as plutonic rock), such as granite.

C. What forms when rocks break down?
When rocks break down, they form sediments, which are small fragments of rock and mineral particles.

D. In what ways are sediments transported?
Sediments can be transported by various means, including water (in rivers and streams), wind, ice (glaciers), and gravity (landslides).

E. What kind of rock is formed from sediments?
Sediments are lithified (hardened) into sedimentary rock, such as sandstone or limestone.

F. What kind of rock is formed from increased temperature and pressure?
Increased temperature and pressure typically form metamorphic rock, such as schist or gneiss.

G. What is formed when rocks melt deep underground?
When rocks melt deep underground, magma is formed.